Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated American society, disrupting lives and routines, straining finances, and exacerbating feelings of isolation and loneliness. The spread of the virus dramatically altered the daily lives of Americans, including how people work, learn, shop, and interact with others (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). From the closure of businesses and schools to the implementation of social distancing measures, the coronavirus profoundly affected the American way of life.
The economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been especially severe. Millions of Americans lost their jobs due to business closures and the skyrocketing unemployment rate. Many small businesses have been forced to close their doors, and the stock market has taken a major hit. The economic recession caused by the coronavirus has caused significant financial hardship for many Americans.
Moreover, the pandemic has led to social isolation for many Americans as they are forced to stay at home, unable to visit family and friends, and unable to participate in social activities. This has caused an increase in loneliness and depression among many Americans, leading to a decrease in mental health (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). The pandemic also created a healthcare access crisis in the US, as many people cannot access the necessary healthcare services due to financial constraints, lack of insurance, or lack of available healthcare providers.
As the pandemic continues to decline, it is important to remember its impact on American society and to continue to take steps to mitigate these impacts. While the effects of the pandemic have been far-reaching, this paper will focus on three key areas in which the pandemic has had the most profound effect: altered daily routines, financial pressure, and social isolation. Using data from various sources, this paper will analyze the implications of these changes and discuss the strategies that could be implemented to address them.
Altered Daily Routines
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Americans’ daily routines. According to Ray et al., “The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, has disrupted routines in education, work, exercise, and dining habits.” This disruption has decreased physical activity, with the average American reducing their weekly physical activity significantly since the pandemic began. This decrease has negatively impacted many Americans’ health, as regular exercise is known to be beneficial for physical and mental well-being (Ray et al., 2022). Additionally, the pandemic has also led to an increase in the use of sleep medications, with the percentage of people using sleep medications increasing tremendously during the lockdown.
Furthermore, the pandemic made it more difficult for older adults to get the necessary care and assistance, leading to feelings of isolation and distress. Linking older people living alone to using services like assistance programs and public aid can lead to better physical health. Moreover, it reduces the expenses for those requiring special care; these resources could also help prevent feelings of loneliness (Ray et al., 2022). It is, therefore, essential that we prioritize providing resources and social support to older adults who were neglected during this pandemic
Education programs were also greatly affected by the pandemic. For instance, many students had to transition to online learning, while adults had to switch to remote work or were laid off. This created time management and motivation challenges, as people had to adjust to these new routines. In addition, many students struggle to keep up with their education due to the lack of resources and support available in their homes (Ray et al., 2022). This was particularly true for students from low-income backgrounds, who often lacked access to the technology and internet necessary for online learning.
Financial Pressure
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the financial well-being of American families. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, “Roughly half of the non-retired adults say the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak will make it harder for them to achieve their financial goals” (Horowitz et al., 2021). Additionally, the study found that 21% of Americans reported that their financial situation was worse than a year ago due to the pandemic (Horowitz et al., 2021). These findings demonstrate the severity of the financial hardships. This can include providing access to mental health services, connecting isolated older adults to effective resources, and providing financial support to those affected by the pandemic.
The financial pressures have caused financial insecurity and instability in many American households. Due to the pandemic, many households are dealing with income loss, unemployment, and financial insecurity. This has led to increased poverty, food, and housing insecurity as many families have no choice but to sell their assets, take out loans, or take on more debt (Horowitz et al., 2021).
Additionally, many struggle to keep up with rent, mortgage payments, and other household expenses. The financial pressure has led to an increase in mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, as well as a decrease in overall quality of life. However, governments, businesses, and charities have all stepped in to try to offer assistance to help alleviate the financial pressure on Americans. Nevertheless, the pandemic has taken a toll on the economic security of many households.
Social Isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted American society, particularly regarding social isolation. The Commonwealth Fund reports that for older adults, the percentage of those who reported feeling isolated jumped from 27 percent in 2018 to 56 percent after the pandemic’s start (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). This is concerning, as feelings of isolation can have short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health.
According to the same source, feelings of isolation create emotional distress, potentially exacerbate their already complicated health problems, and even contribute to early mortality (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). There was also isolation in the field of education. For instance, many students have missed important social experiences, such as proms and graduations, which have had a significant emotional impact.
Additionally, experts have found that the relationship between mental well-being and feelings of isolation is bidirectional. As the Commonwealth Fund states, “Connecting isolated older adults to effective resources such as support groups could improve health and lower the cost for high-need adults” (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). The percentage of people feeling isolated increased significantly after the beginning of the pandemic. These feelings of loneliness can severely impact one’s mental and physical health, resulting in depression, anxiety, and even premature death.
To reduce the effects of social isolation, it is essential to provide individuals with access to the resources and connections needed to help them combat feelings of loneliness. This could include support groups, virtual connections, and even a friendly phone call (Horstman & Lewis, 2022). By addressing social isolation, we can help ensure that people can maintain their mental and physical health and keep up a sense of connectedness and community.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in American society. It has affected the way people live, work, and interact with one another. The economic impacts have been especially severe, with many people losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet.
The virus has also disrupted the education system, with many schools closing and transitioning to remote learning. Although the situation has been difficult, it has inspired a greater sense of community and solidarity among Americans. It is important to recognize the pandemic’s impact and work together to find solutions that benefit everyone.
The pandemic significantly altered daily routines, caused financial troubles, and exacerbated feelings of social isolation and loneliness in American society. It had a detrimental effect on education since it presented several difficulties for pupils, teachers, and administrators. The pandemic’s consequences are still felt in the educational system today, from finding ways to give equitable access to technology to developing new support systems for kids. In addition, because of the closures brought on by the pandemic, many college and university students could not secure internships and part-time jobs. These financial losses hampered their capacity to cover tuition and other educational costs.
It is crucial to acknowledge the adverse effects of these changes and take action to deal with them. Such actions can involve giving people with disabilities access to mental health care, connecting elderly people who are alone with helpful services, and offering financial assistance to those whom the epidemic has financially impacted. By doing this, we can lessen the pandemic’s long-term effects and guarantee the welfare of every American in society.
References
Horowitz, J. M., Brown , A., & Minkin, R. (2021). A year into the pandemic, long-term the financial impact weighs heavily on many Americans. Web.
Horstman, C., & Lewis, C. (2022). More Covid-19 Fallout: Social Isolation Associated with Poor Health and Emotional Distress. Web.
Ray, J. L., Srinath, R., & Mechanick, J. I. (2022). The negative impact of routine, dietary pattern, and physical activity on obesity and dysglycemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 155982762210849. Web.